Xi and Boric: China and Chile want to jointly defend the interests of the Global South and deepen strategic partnership

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Chilean President Gabriel Boricua, who is attending the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum, in Beijing on Wednesday. The meeting took place in the year when the two countries celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Xi stressed that China and Chile should deepen comprehensive strategic partnerships, be an example South-South cooperation and together strive for peace and progress of mankind. He praised Chile as a stable partner of Latin America and called for strengthening political trust, exchange of experience in Governance, and k mutual support for key national interests including sovereignty and security.

He said both countries should implement the cooperation plan within the framework of Belt and trails, deepen cooperation in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and investment in industry and infrastructurebut also to develop new growth areas such as astronomy, polar research, artificial intelligence, biomedicine and digital economy.

Xi called for increased cultural and educational exchanges and greater participation by young people and the media. He supports investment by Chinese enterprises in Chile and the import of quality Chilean products into the Chinese market.

Boric described China as Chile's most important trading partner and repeated firm support for the One China policy. He expressed his readiness to expand cooperation in business, investment and artificial intelligence, encourage high quality of the Belt and Trail and strengthen interpersonal and cultural contacts.

Condemned trade wars and stressed that trade should be based on for mutual benefitnot on unilateral interests. Chile, he said, wants to defend with China multilateralism, UN authority and international justice, whereby the resolution of differences should take place dialogue, not conflict.

During Boric's visit to China, the following were signed cooperation agreements in the areas of economics, media, publishing, inspection and quarantine, and among think tanks.

CMG